Experience all the best music money can't buy at Free Week 2019

“I want to check out live music in Austin, but I don’t know where I should go.”

This is a common refrain we hear from Austinites new and old.

Well, this week, the answer to that question is easy. Head down to the Red River Cultural District for Free Week, friends.

In most cities, the week after New Year’s is deadly slow for clubs, but Austin’s been bucking that trend since 2003, when Graham Williams, then a booker at Emo’s, came up with the concept of Free Week. The event has grown into a bustling local festival as venues throughout the district drop cover charges for the first week of the year, creating an opportunity for music lovers to casually drift from bar to bar discovering new sounds. It's like a local music version of South by Southwest with 99 percent less obnoxious industry execs.

You literally have nothing to lose, so be adventurous. Go see a band you’ve never heard. Check out a genre of music that strays from your usual playlist. Drag your friends along or go to a show by yourself. Have fun.

Just remember, common courtesy is crucial. Be sure to tip your bar staff well and spend some of that money you’re saving at the door at your new favorite band’s merch table.

A FEW FREE WEEK HIGHLIGHTS

Friday: American Sharks, Not in the Face, Billy King & the Bad Bad Bad at Mohawk outdoor. Kickstart your weekend with this bill of brash and boozy rock ‘n’ roll. Headliners American Sharks closed out 2018 on the road opening for gore metal titans, Gwar, and have a new album set to drop in March. Jonathan Terrell and Wes Cargal’s rock rumble, Not in the Face and acid-laced surf rockers Billy King and the Bad Bad Bad round out the bill. 8 p.m. 912 Red River St. mohawkaustin.com

Friday: Pushermania Free Week night one at the North Door. Matt Sonzala made a name for himself in the ‘90s as the hip-hop journalist who helped introduce the Houston rap sound to the world. With two nights of Free Week showcases, the Austin-based promoter proves he’s still got a knack for igniting new heat. This showcase features the ladies. The Vapor Caves, a collaboration between Keeper’s Yadira Brown and producer Boombaptist, leads a bill that also includes 2018 ATX soul breakout, Alesia Lani and Boss Babes founder Jane Claire Hervey, who recently began performing as Jane Claire. San Antonio R&B artist, Amea, Killeen native, Eimaral Sol, Britt and Torre Blake round out the bill. 8 p.m. doors. 502 Brushy St. ndvenue.com 

Friday: Austin Vida presents Tiarra Girls at Stubb’s indoor. The Austin music scene has a long tradition of nurturing young artists, who begin their careers in the clubs as teens, into solid musicians ready to take the national stage (see also, Gary Clark Jr., Residual Kid). The fierce sister trio, Tiffany, Tori and Sophia Baltierra are the next young group ready to take the big leap. With the release of the powerful track, “Leave It to the People” last year, the Ann Richards School alumnae embody their tagline: “Music for an empowered generation.” Los Nahuatlatos, Hans Gruber and the Die Hards and Huerta Culture open. 8 p.m. doors. 801 Red River St. stubbsaustin.com

Saturday: Whiskey Shivers at Parish. Later this month, the self-described “trashgrass bluegrass” outfit hops the pond to spread their wry brand of quick-picking, spirit-soaked Americana across Europe. Drop by to raise a toast to their travels. Cake tribute project Icing, Madisons, Desilu and the the Oysters also perform. 8 p.m. doors. 214 E. Sixth St. theparishaustin.com

Saturday: Ringo Deathstarr, Moving Panoramas at Barracuda. If you like to lose yourself in gauzy layers of pop, this is your ticket. Local shoegaze kingpins, Ringo Deathstarr layer ethereal vocals over grungey guitar-driven sound beds. Moving Panoramas expanded from a trio to a six-piece last year, but the dreamy harmonies that defined the band remain at the heart of their sound. Equally excellent female-fronted bands, Why Bonnie and The Sour Notes also will perform. 7 p.m. doors. 611 E. Seventh St. barracudaaustin.com

Saturday: Tameca Jones, Shy Beast, Como Las Movies at Empire. There’s a little something for everyone on this bill. Sizzling soul artist Tameca Jones, who just returned from a stint supporting Gary Clark Jr. on tour, headlines a solid bill that also includes expressive indie pop outfit Shy Beast and hip-switching cumbia-synth project Como Las Movies. 8 p.m. doors. 606 E. Seventh St. empireatx.com

MORE FREE WEEK SHOWS

Friday

Ringo Deathstarr, Narrow Head (HTX), Burnt Skull, Chronophage at Beerland

Clyde & Clem’s Whisky Business, Harvest Thieves, Dr. Joe, more at Empire Garage

Nolan Potters NB, Leather Girls, Hidden Ritual, Rotten Mangos, Nevil at Barracuda

Walker Lukens, Grand Child, Palo Duro, Catepillar, Housewarming, My Golden Calf at Cheer Up Charlie’s

The Western Civilization, Marijuana Sweet Tooth at Mohawk indoor

Worm Suicide, Trump Card, the Swishbucklers, Lechuza at Empire Control Room

Megafauna, Belcurve at Hotel Vegas

The Stacks, Mean Jolene, Hong Kong Wigs, Pelvis Wrestley, more at Hole in the Wall

The Bad Lovers, White Dogs, Black Basements at Hotel Vegas

Soul Supporters, Mayeaux and Broussard, JD Clark at the White Horse

Adoration Destroyed, Single Lash, I Rock They Experience at Elysium

Afrofreque at Flamingo Cantina

Saturday

Scorpion Child, The Well, Eagle Claw at Mohawk outdoor

101X Homegrown, C3 Presents and Side One Track One: Ume, Calliope Musicals, Teddy Glass, A. Sinclair, Blxpltn, Glaze, Fanclub, Marfa Crush at the Scoot Inn

Pushermania Free Week Night 2 with B l a c k i e, Black Mercy, Doula, Ingebrigt Haker Flaten, blk ops at The North Door

Christian Bland and the Revelators, The Rotten Mangoes, Go Fever at Hotel Vegas

Quin NFN, The Bishops, Infrared, Loony, Ben Buck at Empire Control Room

Night Glitter, Deep Time, TV’s Daniel, Pataphysics, Borzoi at Cheer Up Charlie’s

Communion, Rickshaw Billie’s, Heavy Chills at Mohawk indoor

Swells, Nightcap at Stubb’s indoor

Exhalants, Hoaries (Ft. Worth), Bulls (FTW), Easy Prey at Beerland

Vampyre, Borzoi, Pleasure Venom, Chromagnus at Hole in the Wall

Primo, the Nimbus, Inseclude at Elysium

Anastasia, Interrobang, Distinguished Soundz at Swan Dive

Sunday

Harvest Thieves, Ben Ballinger, Otis Wilkins at Mohawk indoor

Kathryn Legendre, Sour Bridges, Jomo & the Possum Posse at Stubb’s indoor

Nolan Potter’s Nightmare Band, Temple of Angles, Hidden Ritual at Hotel Vegas

‘80s Nite: Bowie Birthday at Elysium

Future Museums, Sun June, Daphne Tunes, Oak Sun at Beerland